“The Scarcity Dilemma”
Last week, in the middle of an aisle at Sam’s Club, I felt the warning signs of an impending anxiety attack. As I stared at my cart piled to the brim with boxes and tubs and pre-packaged everything, my heart began to pound and my temperature rose, then cooled, while the pit that often lays dormant my core began to open and gnash its pointy teeth.
“Is this enough?” I wondered. “Will everyone have enough to eat? Maybe we need a greater variety of chips? Do we need more drinks? And what about dessert? We can’t run out of dessert. But we’re already spending a lot of money. I shouldn’t spend anymore, right?” With everything pounding inside and a sinking feeling spirit, I headed to the checkout where I handed over both my debit card and my goods–feeling terrible about both.
This, my friends, is what it’s like to live in a culture of scarcity. Nothing is ever enough, and all that we have in abundance is anxiety. I know you can relate. It’s how we roll in the western world. Marketers tell us that we need to buy something fast because those shoes won’t be on sale next week and the Pumpkin Spice Latte only lasts for a season. We’re taught to consume it all before it’s gone–YOLO, am I right–while at the same time being told to hoard everything in case you need it down the road. It’s no wonder a trip to the grocery store often feels like stepping into the Hunger Games arena!
But it’s not just about finite resources. We have the same scarcity principle of time–cramming our calendars to overflowing so as not to miss out on something, while bemoaning our lack of time to do the things we truly enjoy. In our minds, everything can become nothing in the blink of an eye…so we perpetually focus on the not enough.
Like most things in our world, the scarcity deficit from which we operate is the complete opposite of what God envisioned for his kingdom. Consider this passage from Psalm 36.
I love the imagery here–how God calls us not to amble over for a light pre-game snack, but to run and eat our fill of heaven’s bounty while quenching our thirst from Eden’s own spring! There is no scarcity in God’s realm…there is only fulfillment. Need more proof?
Consider the creation story, when God caused light to burst into the void that was the Earth, then brought forth lush vegetation, waters teeming with life, and a myriad of creatures roaming the land. Or Abram, whom God called to marvel at the fullness of the night sky, then said that Abram’s offspring would outnumber even the vastness of these celestial jewels. Later, as Abram’s offspring wandered the wilderness and wondered what was for dinner, God made sure their bellies were full of heavenly bread and succulent meat. Then there is Ruth, who gleaned in a field in expectation of finding meager sustenance, only to have Boaz instruct his workers to leave piles of wheat for her to gather. And can we forget the woman at the well, whom Jesus promised streams of living water so that she would never thirst again?
Our God is abundant. There is no scarcity to be found in his work, in his love, in his mercy, in his grace. So why do we choose to live as if there is a deficit? Why do we insist that we don’t have enough when we worship a God whose very nature is one of generous giving. God gives–fully, completely, abundantly. There is enough…for…all…people.
There are those in this world for whom scarcity is a real and life-threatening situation. But it doesn’t have to be this way. God teaches us that there is enough–he made enough–so that all might have an abundant life. And guess what? He’s calling you and me to be his agents of generosity! We don’t need to grab all we can while we can because God has promised that he will give us what we need when we need it. I love the way John puts it:
Instead of thinking about all we lack when God comes knocking on the door to our hearts, what if we choose to focus on all that God can offer? What if we say:
Yes! I will give one hour a week to a kid who needs a caring adult to talk to, knowing that God will make the time multiply.
Yes! I will commit to tithing ten percent of my income, knowing that God will ensure I have enough left over to support my family.
Yes! I will contribute to a holiday drive knowing that my resources will add abundantly to those of others in order to bless someone else.
Yes! I will sign up to help with that new ministry at church God has been bugging me about, knowing that he will open doors and make a way where I see only obstacles.
Yes! I will take the time to check in on a friend or neighbor, knowing that the joy of fellowship will fill me far more than whatever else I would have consumed in those minutes.
God gives us gift after gift. So, this week, try to consciously avoid the mindset of scarcity. Instead, give your fears, what-ifs, and doubt to a God who has more than enough to meet your every need.
Blessings and Peace, Sara
Mission
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Vision
Nelson Memorial UMC seeks to be a place where all God’s broken, hurting, and imperfect children discover wholeness and community while experiencing the warm and welcoming love of Jesus Christ. We seek to connect with one another to grow in our knowledge and love of God, to encourage each person to live out their unique calling to serve God, and to make a difference in the Boonville community and throughout the world.
Priorities
Developing and Nurturing Faith in Children and Youth
Fostering Growth and Community in Worship and Small Groups
Provide Opportunities to Serve God in Boonville and Beyond
Worship This Week
This Sunday we will continue our message series titled “Grateful.” This series aims to move past just thinking about what we have to be thankful for and toward living a life shaped by gratitude. This week, our Scripture focus will begin with a reading from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 17, verses 11 through 19.
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Our services will begin with the Gathering Song Faithfully by Toby Mac. Our Opening Hymn is Great is Thy Faithfulness. Our Praise Song will be Forever, and we will once again close with Give Thanks. At the 10:20 service, our Choir will share Give Thanks To The Lord as our Prelude.
Virtual Worship Information
In addition to in-person worship, our service will be live-streamed. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page. The service will start at approximately 10:25 am following our Gathering Song. Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
Announcements
Coats for Kids – We will again be providing coats for kids who need them in the Boonslick Area. If you would like to contribute, make your check out to Nelson Memorial, UMC and in the memo line put “Coats for Kids” and place it in the offering plate or drop it by the church office. Thank you! Heather Beach.
Christian Movie Night – Our next movie night will be November 19 beginning at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will be showing “It’s A Wonderful Life.” If you have any suggestions please contact Cindy Koch. Come join us for popcorn and a movie, and bring your own soda.
Advent Study – The season of Advent is approaching and we are offering you an opportunity to join with others in reading through a beautiful Advent Devotional Guide. This text, Emmanuel, by Ruth Chou Simmons, subtitled “An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always,” provides an Advent exploration of what it means to intimately experience God’s presence in our daily lives. A signup sheet is in the back of the church if you’d like us to order a book for you. Please sign up by Nov 19 so we can be sure to have the books by the beginning of Advent.
Annual Community Thanksgiving Service November 21 – The Boonslick Ministerial Alliance will hold their annual Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday, November 21 at 6:30 pm at the First Christian Church. There will be a free-will offering to benefit the work of the Ministerial Alliance. Please join in this community service sponsored by our local churches.
2023 Angel Tree – Our Angels have arrived and they are on the chancel railing. Be sure to write down your name and phone number next to your angel tree number on the clipboard provided in the front pews. We will need the children’s gifts back in the Sanctuary no later than Sunday, December 3rd for the dedication of the gifts. The Angel Tree party will be on Saturday, Dec. 9th at 11:00 a.m., beginning with a short message in the Sanctuary and lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Please make plans to join us in this very special ministry to our church. As always, we are so grateful for the way in which our church family supports this Matthew 25 ministry to the children of incarcerated parents.
Deck the Halls November 26 – Sunday, November 26th after the 10:20 worship service, we invite all to come help us deck the halls and hang the greens throughout the Sanctuary to bring out the Christmas joy. Carry, haul, fluff, and decorate till your heart’s content, lending a helping hand to beautify the church.
Christmas Parade December 2 – Christmas Parade Saturday, December 2nd at 2:00. Meet at church at 12:30 on the west side of the church to get ready for the Christmas Parade. Everyone is welcome to ride. Wear a church sweatshirt, if you have one! Please bring a bag of candy to throw.
We will also be handing out hot chocolate packets again this year and we need your help collecting them. Please bring hot chocolate packets to the church by Wednesday, Nov 29.
Salvation Army Bell-Ringing December 9 – We are scheduled to “ring the bells” at Walmart on Saturday, December 9, 2023. We will need volunteers for one-hour time slots from 10 AM – 6 PM. Please help to make a difference with every ring. A sign-up sheet will be in the East Wing narthex (where we serve refreshments after worship).
Christmas Poinsettias – Those of you who would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please pick up one of the forms located on the table back in the refreshment area. The list will be in the December 24th bulletin. Please submit the form to the church by Sunday, December 10th or drop it in the offering box on Sunday. Please make checks payable to Nelson Memorial, UMC, in the amount of $13.00, and in the memo line write poinsettia. Thank you!
Events this week:
Saturday, November 18: Jesus & Justice Small Group, 9:30, Lounge
Sunday, November 19: Christian Movie Small Group, 4:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Monday, November 20: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, November 21: Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Community Thanksgiving Service, 6:30 pm, First Christian Church
Wednesday, November 22: Scripture Memory Small Group, 9:00 am, Lounge
Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, November 23: Happy Thanksgiving
Friday, November 24: Office Closed
Closing Words of Wisdom:
Vision beyond your resources? Don’t let fear dictate your decisions. If your vision is God-given, it will most definitely be beyond your ability and beyond your resources. The God who gives the vision is the same God who makes provision.” – Mark Batterson